GENEVA (5 April 2017) – United Nations experts on cultural rights, housing and extreme poverty today called on the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to immediately halt the planned demolition of a 400-year-old walled neighborhood in the village of Awamia.

The UN experts warned the development plan for the Al-Masora quarter threatens the historical and cultural heritage of the town with irreparable harm, and may result in the forced eviction of numerous people from their businesses and residences.

“The area is of importance not only to local people and the entire cultural landscape of Awamia, but also has national significance for the history and cultural heritage of Saudi Arabia,” said the UN Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, Karima Bennoune. “The planned demolition would erase this unique regional heritage in an irreversible manner.”

Part of the regional trade activities centered on the Qatif region for centuries, Al-Masora is considered a historical model of a walled village, including mosques, farms and farmers markets, places of worship for Shia ‘Hussainiyat’ and businesses, and is home to about 2,000 to 3,000 people. The neighborhood is of great interest for researchers and experts in the fields of heritage and archaeology.

The imminent demolition of the entire neighborhood is reportedly part of a larger development plan for Awamia, aiming to transform the area from a mainly residential neighbourhood to a commercial and service zone. Considering that the plan does not include the construction of residential buildings, local residents fear it will worsen the existing housing crisis and lead to a further rise in housing and land prices.

“Residents have been pressured in many ways, including through power cuts, to vacate their homes and businesses without adequate alternative resettlement options, leaving them at best with insufficient compensation and at worst, with nowhere to go,” noted the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing, Leilani Farha.

“Demolitions must never lead to homelessness of the evicted persons, so the authorities have to ensure the provision of adequate alternative housing facilities, resettlement and compensation for lost property,” she added.

The UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty, Philip Alston, also expressed concern about the impact of the demolition on the standard of living of those who will be affected. “If implemented, the plan will remove people from the areas where they live and work, resulting in loss of livelihood and difficulty in securing housing,” he stressed.

The experts also raised concerns over the lack of information and public consultation. “It appears that the demolition has been announced without any meaningful consultation with the residents, and without having considered less damaging alternatives, like restoration, or adequate notice informing them about the demolition plans,” they noted.

“The Saudi authorities must take all necessary steps to guarantee cultural rights, including the right to the enjoyment of and access to cultural heritage, and the right to an adequate standard of living, including housing, in accordance with international human rights laws and standards,” the UN experts said. “They must halt all ongoing demolition works that do not meet these standards and cancel any planned in the future.”

Ms. Karima Bennoune (USA), Special Rapporteur in the field of
cultural rights ,
Ms. Leilani Farha (Canada), Special Rapporteur
on adequate housing, and
Mr. Philip Alston (Australia), Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights; are part of what is known as the
Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms. Special Procedures mandate-holders are independent human rights experts appointed by the Human Rights Council to address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. They are not UN staff and are independent from any government or organization. They serve in their individual capacity and do not receive a salary for their work.